Dredging apparatus



(NQ Model.) l j A. STEVENS.

DREDGING APPARATUS. M No. 558.118. Patented-Apr. 14.1896.'

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ANDREW'EGRAHAM. PHUTOUTHO.WA$HINGTON. D D

the construction of the same, whereby a more NTTED i STA-TES.

nRTnUR D. sTEVENs, or JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

DRI-:celtic APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of' Letters Patent No. 558,118, dated April 14, 1896. Application filed July 23, 1394. Serial No. 518,370. (No model.)

To aZZwwn/z, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR D. STEVENS, residing in Jacksonville, in the county of Duval andState of Florida, have invented an Improvement in Dredging Apparatus, ofwhich the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts. v

This invention relates to dredging apparatus of that class in which the sand, mud, or other material operated upon is removed by suction, and has for its object to improve efficient apparatus may be obtained. u

1n accordance with this invention the cutter employed to loosen the material is` carried bythe suction-pipe ina novel manner, as will bedesoribed, and is of a construction to present a more extended and effective cuttingsurface to the material, irrespective of the depthand angle at which the cutter is working, as will be hereinafter specified Another feature of this invention consists in a novel supporting-frame for the suctionpipe and the cutter, whereby the said pipe and cutter may be moved in a substantially horizontal plane while the cutter is` in its operative position, thereby avoiding the necessity of elevating the suction-pipe in order to move the cutter horizontally.

This invention further consist-s in a novel construction of driving mechanism by which rotation of the cutter is effect-ed and to a novel construction whereby a universal movementl of the suction-pipe is obtained.

These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure l represents in side elevation and section a sufficient portion of a suction-dredging apparatus embodying this invention to enable it to be understood, the boat or dredger being shown in section; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale,of a portion of the suction-pipe, the cutter, and its driving-gear; and Figs. 3 and 4t, details to be referred to.

Referring to Fig. 1, Arepresents a sufficient portionof adredge or boat of any usual or suitable construction, such as now commonly employed in the class of dredging apparatus upon which this invention is an improvement.

The boat `or dredge A in practice is provided with a suction-pump of any suitable or usual construction, which is not herein shown, but which has connected to its inlet-mouth a iieXiblehose or pipe a, coupled in any suitable manner toa rigid metallic suction-pipe a'. The suction-pipe a' may be of any suitable or desired length, and carries at its outer end a` cutter A', preferably of a construction as will now be described. The cutter A', in accordance with this invention,`is composed of a" plurality `of concaved longitudinal metal staves, strips, or bars d2, and concaved or rounded latitudinal `or cross strips or bars d3, suitably bolted or otherwise riveted together, the longitudinal staves, strips, or bars d2 being of greater concavity at their rear ends, and riveted or otherwise fastened at their opposite `ends to a front plate 0,30 and at their rear ends to an annular disk or plate co4, loosely mounted upon the suction-pipe a' near its extreme outer end, so that substantially the entire cutter A' projects beyond the outer end of the suction-pipe a.

By reason of the longitudinal bars, strips, or staves CL2 being of greater concavity at their rear ends the outer surface of the said bars, and consequently of the cutter, is at a tangent with the surface of the sand, mud, or other material when the cutter is in operative position and at work.

` The longitudinal and latitudinal bars comprisin g the cutter are provided with projections c, which may be securedto or form part of the said bars, and which form the cutter-teeth, the said cutter-teeth inthe present instance being shown as provided with two rearwardly-projecting ears d20 0,21, (see Fig. 4,) which fit over or embrace one side of the bar to which it is secured by the bolt or rivet 122.

The disk d4, constituting the rear end of the cutter A', is bolted lor otherwise suitably secured to an annular flange a6 on a sleeve a7,

loosely mounted on the suction-pipe a'. The

sleeve co7 is designed to rotate about and upon the suction-pipe a', and in order that the rotary action of the said sleeve and its attached cutter may be effected with a minimum amount of power I prefer to provide the sleeve al with annular enlargements a8 a9 at or near its opposite ends, which form with IOO clamped or otherwise secured thereon.

the suction-pipe annular passages or grooves in which are placed a plurality of antifriction devices, (herein shown as rollers d10 a12,) and to avoid wearing of the suction-pipe a the said rollers preferably bear upon steel bands C013 a, (see Fig. 3,) mounted upon the suctionpipe a.

The sleeve a1 is herein shown as rotated by means of a pinion b on the end of a shaft ZJ', meshing with the internal gear b2, to which the sleeve Mis fastened, as by bolts or screws b3,eXtended through a flange b1 on the enlargement a9 of the said sleeve.

rIhe shaft b constitutes the driving-shaft for the cutter A', and has its bearings in suitable supports b', (represented as uprights,) secured to or forming parts of the bands or straps h6, secured to the suction-pipe a. The shaft Z2' may be the main or crank shaft of a pair of vertical engines D7, preferably mounted upon a platform or saddle '198, having depending strap-like arms or bands b9 Z110, which are firmly bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the arms Z217 518 of a supporting-yoke for the suction-pipe to be hereinafter more specifically described.

The crank-shaft Zi may and preferably will be provided with a counterweight or iiy wheel Z112. In order to permit of a universal or free movement of the suction-pipe a in all directions,the said pipe is pivotally supported upon the dredge or boat A, preferablyin a manner as will now be described. The boat or dredge A near its end is provided with a socket B13, preferably a .metal sleeve, for the reception of the pintle or shank Z214 of a yoke 615, (see Fig. 3,) having a collar b1 resting upon the upper surface of the sleeve b13 and provided with arms 2 3, to which are pivotally secured, as atet 5, side armsb17b18 of a clamp b1, preferably made as herein shown and consisting of two substantially semicireular jaws adapted to be fitted upon the suction-pipe a and to be firmly clamped thereto by bolts, rivets, or other suitable devices 020.

By means of the pivots 4: 5 for the side arms the suction-pipe is permitted to be moved in a vertical plane, and by reason of the pivot Z114 for the yoke 515 the said suction-pipe may be moved in a substantially horizontal plane, so that the said suction-pipe is free to be moved into any desired position with relation to the dredge A. The suction-pipe a has its rear end supported by the swivel-yoke referred to, and is preferably sustained at or near its front end by means of a support of a construction as will now be described.

The support referred to comprises, essentially, a beam c, which may be of any suitable material and of any suitable shape in crosssection and which, at its lower end, is secured, as by bolts c', to avyokc c2, pivotally fastened to the suction-pipe a in any suitable or desired manner, it being represented in Fig. l as secured to trunnions c3 on a band or strap CX, encircling the suction-pipe and firmly The upper end of the supporting-beam c is loosely extended through a swivel-yoke, comprising a collar c4, provided with a pintle or stud c5, eX- tended into a suitable socket in an arm c, secured to or forming part of an upright frame c7, attached to the boat or dredge A in any suitable manner. The beam c may be raised and lowered by suitable tackle cs, of any usual or well-known construction and the said beam may have secured to it in any suitable manner one or more side operating ropes or chains d, there being one such rope shown in Fig. l, which in the present instance is represented as secured to a link d', inserted through a suitable hole or eye cl2 in the beam. By means of the beam c and its side operating-ropes d the suction-pipe a and its attached cutter A may be moved in a substantially horizontal plane without the necessity of raising the suction-pipe and its cutter from their operative position below the water-level, which is a decided advantage practically, inasmuch as a very considerable saving in time is effected in the operation of the dred ger, andthe cutter may follow the deposit of material in a lateral direction, so that the cutting of the material in a lateral direction may proceed continuously without regard to the depth at which the cutter is working.

It will be noticed that the side operating ropes or devices d may be adj ustably secured to the beam c at various points, according to the depth at which the cutter is working.

In the present instance I have represented the beam c as provided with three eyes (Z2, one above and the other below that eye with which the link d is in engagement, and to illustrate the operation of this feature of this invention let it be supposed that the cutter is working at a higher level than that represented in the drawings, Fig. 1. In this case the side operating-ropes d would be secured to the lower eye of the beam c-that is, to the eye nearest the suetion-pipe-and if the cutter is working at a greater depth than that represented in the drawings the said operating-ropes d would be attached to the beam c above the point at which it is now represented as fastened. In either case it will be noticed that the pull or tension upon the side operating-rope d is in a substantially straight line, so that the suction-pipe and its attached cutter may be moved horizontally without the necessity of iirst lifting the suction-pipe and its cutter out of the water before moving it sidewise.

It will be noticed that practically the entire cutter A is projected beyond the outer end of the suction-pipe a, and that the operating mechanism for rotating the said cutter is located behind or at the rear of the cutter. This arrangement of the cutter is advantageous, as it affords a free and unobstructed passage of the material to the discharge-pipe, so that the work of dredging may be more effectually accomplished in a minimum time.

By means of the sleeve a1 being interposed between the driving-gears b b2 and the rear end of the cutter the driving mechanism is removed a ,considerable distance from ythe cutter and is practically free from all danger of becoming clogged or deranged by contact with the material being dredged, and by means of the antifriction-rollers the cutter is made to operate with a minimum expenditure of power. In the construction of the cutter A the teeth a are separated a considerable distance from each other, so as to obtain the effect of a loosening action as well as of a cutting action, which in practice has been found to be very desirable.

By reference to Figs. l and 3 it will be noticed that the pivots 4 5 are placed forward of the pintle or pivot b, which is advantageous, as by this means the tipping of the dredge when the suction-pipe is swung over either side is compensated for, and the out made by the cutter is perfectly horizontal, or substantially so, and not deeper at its sides than in the middle, as would be the case if the tipping of the dredge was not compensated.

I claiml. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a suction -pipe mounted to swing in a substantially vertical and horizontal plane and provided at its outer end with a cutter, asupport for the outer end of the said suction-pipe consisting of a yoke pivotally secured to said pipe, and a beam c, a swiveled collar c4 through which said beam is loosely extended, and means connected to said support to move the same and the cutter laterally, and means connected to said support to' elevate the said cutter, for the purpose specied.

2. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a suction-pipe mounted to swing in a substantially vertical and horizontal plane, a cutter mounted on the said pipe and projecting beyond the open end of the same, a sleeve on the suction-pipe to which said cutter is connected to rotate therewith, antifriction devices interposed between the opposite ends of the said sleeve and the suction-pipe, gear- `ing carried by the suction-pipe to rotate said sleeve, and means to rotate said gearing, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described cutter for dredging apparatus consisting of outwardly curved longitudinal bars separated from each other, and latitudinally-curved bars separated from each other, and teeth or projections secured to the longitudinal bars and to the latitudinal bars intermediate of the longitudinal bars to form a tangential cutting-surface irrespective of the angle at which the cutter is working, substantially as described.

4. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a suction-pipe 4mounted to swing in a substantially vertical and horizontal plane and provided at its outer end with a cutter, a support for the outer end of the said suction-pipe,

and means adjustably connected `to said s upport to enable the cutter to be moved laterflexible pipe and provided with a cutter at its outer end, a support for the inner end of the said rigid suction-pipe consisting of a swiveled yoke having a movement in a substantially horizontal plane, and a clamping-jaw engaging the rigid pipe and having arms pivotally connected to the said yoke to move in a substantially vertical plane, a platform or saddle secured to said arms, an engine supported on said platform, a shaft driven by said engine and extended toward the cutter, bea-rings for the said shaft carried by the rigid suction-pipe and gearing to connect said shaft and cutter, substantially as described.

6. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a suction-pipe mounted to swing in a substantially vertical and horizontal plane and provided at its outer end with a cutter, a support for the outer end of the said suction-pipe firmly secured thereto at its lower end and having its upperend free to move longitudinally in a support having a movement in a substantially horizontal plane, for the purpose specified.

7. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a flexible suction-pipe and a rigid suctionpipe having its inner end joined to the flexible pipe, a clamping-jaw secured to the inner end of the rigid suction-pipe and provided with side arms, a yoke mounted to turn in a substantially horizontal plane and to which the said side arms are pivotally connected to move in a substantially vertical plane, an open frame-cutter carried by the rigid suction-pipe at its outer end, a sleeve on the suction -pipe to which said 'cutter is secured, antifriction devices interposed between said sleeve and rigid suction-pipe, an internal gear on said suction-pipe to which said sleeve is secured, a pinion in mesh with said gear, a shaft on which said pinion is mounted extended in the direction of the length of the rigid suction-pipe, means carried by the said rigid pipe to rotate said shaft, a supportingframe for the outer end of said rigid suction-- pipe, a swiveled yoke to support the upper end of said frame, and means to move said frame laterally, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my nameto this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR D. STEVENS. Witnesses:

A. R. MERRELL, J. F. BEE.

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